Officials: Man with Down syndrome dies of asphyxiation on Jan. 12

Frederick County's top prosecutor is promising a thorough investigation into the death of a man with Down syndrome while in police custody.

State's Attorney Charlie Smith said Wednesday he hadn't yet seen the investigative file sent by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office on the death of 26-year-old Robert Ethan Saylor.

Saylor died of asphyxiation Jan. 12 after three sheriff's deputies tried to forcibly remove him from a Frederick movie theater at the manager's request. The state Medical Examiner's Office has ruled the death a homicide.

Smith said his office will conduct its own investigation before deciding whether to bring criminal charges against the officers, or whether to present evidence to a grand jury.

He said the timing of those decisions depends on whether the police file is complete.